Review of Zuzana’s ZCUT Power Cardio DVDs

She has a soft-spoken, kind and approachable demeanor, and at the same time, creates these crazy intense workouts that leave me shaking in a pool of sweat. How can someone so nice make my muscles cry so effectively?

Oh, and I have serious ab envy.

I’m gonna go do a plank now.

As a fitness instructor, it’s always so refreshing to have the chance to take a class or do a DVD so you don’t have to think about your workout. When you’re used to creating them so often (and coaching along the way), it’s nice to zone out and just do it. Whenever I’m looking for someone else to kick my booty, I know I can count on a ZWOW. When I found out that Zuzana was coming out with a set of cardio DVDs, I knew it would be something worth checking out since I love her online workouts so much. When I saw the price tag ($15 for the set), I decided it was destiny and ordered some.

I haven’t had a chance to try all of the workouts yet -I’ve done 4, plus the warm up and bonus abs workouts- but thought it was worth a little post, since quite a few of ya have asked how I like them so far.

Here are some details:

-It’s a 3-DVD set, which has 12 workouts, a warm up, cool down and bonus abs workout

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-The set also includes a workout calendar, plus basic nutrition tips if you want to follow around. This is a helpful tool for scheduling rest days.

-Each workout is around 10-15 minutes and if you do the warm up and cool down each time, you still will not be working out for longer than 30 minutes. This makes it a fantastic option for those who don’t have a lot of time to workout, especially since all of the DVDs can be done at home with minimal equipment (chair, mat, something to jump over)

-Before each workout, Zuzana breaks down the moves with proper form so you know what to expect, and how to do it properly. The workouts are done in rounds for time, so the key is to complete them as quickly as possibly, while still utilizing proper form.

My thoughts:

-The movements are very high impact and intense, so I wouldn’t recommend them for fitness beginners or those with injuries. There are a couple of the moves that I’ve had to modify, since I knew I wouldn’t be able to complete the rest of the high rep set with proper form.

-I wouldn’t do these types of workouts on consecutive days. Like I mentioned, they’re high intensity, and it’s a better choice for your heart (it’s a muscle and needs rest, too!) to alternate cardio intensities. I’d space them out throughout the week, or use them as a tough cardio HIIT session after weights (which is how I’ve been using the DVDs).

-They are very, very similar to the workouts you can find for free online. However, Zuzana provides a ton of awesome content at no cost to her thousands of viewers, I’m assuming she’s primarily paid via YouTube ad revenue. I these DVDs are a great way to financially support her, and I love that these workouts can be done without an internet connection. (I take my computer to the gym and will do them in the training room, which doesn’t get a good WiFi signal.) On a non-workout related note, some of you may have read online about her troubled past, and she’s also been through a lot personally in the past year or so. From what I can tell, in addition to her abs of steel, she has a heart of gold. She’s built amazing success for herself and is proof that you don’t need to finish the same way you start.

I’ll definitely continue using the DVDs as a fun change-up in my workout routine, along with my beloved TurboFire, NYC Ballet Company and Physique 57.

Did my hill workout on the stairmaster (30 min + walking warmup and cooldown), and I combined it with intervals. Increased the speed of each subsequent “work” portion, and the end result was like a hill workout and an interval workout had a crazy-hard baby. Obviously, I loved every sweaty, red-faced second of it.

I am so excited! If I don’t win these DVDs I will be buying them. You have never lead me wrong before! Thanks to you last summer I got TurboFire and did you wedding workout to get in shape for my wedding! Now it’s time to kick butt again to get in shape for summer! Loving the Winter Shape up too!

Did my hill workout on the elliptical and will do one of your ab routines a bit later tonight as I’m headed to a meeting now. Thanks for all the great workouts, and fingers crossed for the giveaway – that scarf looks amazing!

I’ve only tried one of Zuzana’s workouts and it killed me in the best way possible! So happy to know she now has DVDs! I’ve been terrible as far as workouts go this week- my family owns a floral shop so this week had been beyond crazy for valentines day- I plan on doing workout 3 tomorrow along with some HIIT! Happy vday!!

I did a cardio session of 2.5 miles with walking/running/high incline intervals. Wanted a good heart pumping cardio workout in honor of Valentine’s day! Plus wanted to burn off some of the extras I enjoyed today. Oh, and also did some ab work! My rest day was yesterday so I will do more cardio tomorrow and get in workout 3 on Saturday! Happy Valentine’s Day to you!

I ‘ve been reading your posts lately and I feel really inspired. I might be one of the few men here commenting, but I just love the positive energy and support! I’ve been doing the ZCUT and the Yoga vol. 1 series for a month, and my body feels amazing! Yes it’s very similar to what you’ve found online, but much more compact and portable, which I love, because I will live in a hotel room for the next 3 months and just LOVE the no-dependency to internet to workout.
My abs are ready, I’ve also combined my routine with the dormfit (dormfit.com) diet and program, and the dolce diet book, by Mike Dolce, and I

sorry, I am thrilled! Just wondering here, how did you assemble the yoga series with your regular ZCUT workouts? Have you done yoga exclusively ? I am starting to experience my body changing in a very empowering way. The more yoga I do, the stronger and adaptable I feel in my everyday life. I’d like to hear your take on this,

Hi, gorgeous! I'm so glad you're here. Welcome to The Fitnessista, a healthy lifestyle blog emphasizing quick workouts, quick recipes and adventures as a wife and mom. Though I am a certified personal trainer, group fitness instructor and weight loss specialist, the information posted here is not intended to substitute the advice of a medical professional. Please check out the about page for more info. Thank you for reading! ❤️